Disclaimer: I do not own Aladdin or any characters from the films/series. This is just a harmless Aladdin fic.
Enjoying it so far? Interested in the strange relation between Chaos, Mirage and Fate? Well, you won't get too much information about it in this particular chapter, but there are MANY hints. Trust me. Important things happen in this chapter so read carefully and enjoy.
After this chapter, I may be taking a longer while in between writing. It's almost school and I'm entering my fourth year in high school. Number of assignments increase, sleeping hours shorten, and I'm stuck with refusing to drink coffee because it's NASTY! is a coffee hater can you not tell? heh The point is.. you might have to wait a month or so between each chapter. I'm sorry, but I wrote this fic because I knew it was possible. Chaos, in the episode he was in, actually talked about Fate which gave me the idea of a fic that can actually work. So, I will not abandon the fic, I will just be going on and off from it. I hope you guys can be patient about this. I won't let you down in any way! REMEMBER, if you want up-to-date news, check out my profile! Well.. time to work on the next chapter before school starts! But first, here's the second, hot from the toaster..
Chapter 2 – Concern for the World
Distracted by the intense rays of light through the large window, Iago tossed and turned over the soft cushions, trying to catch a few more minutes of rest. In dismay, he took the challenge of getting up. Scratching his head, he looked over his shoulder, noticing Abu who was snoring with a trickle of drool escaping his open mouth and splashing on the presently wet pillow. After shuddering at the scene, Iago got up on his feet, stretched his wings and looked around the room. He then felt that something was wrong.. as if something was slightly out of place..
"Hey!" he shouted, waking the startled Abu at the same time. The parrot stared at an empty press in one of the pillows. "Where'd that cat run off to?"
"Fate brought us together, my dearest," the handsome young man said as he bent over to his fiancée to look deeper in her eyes. "There isn't a single doubt in my mind."
"Yes, it is true," she said back, smiling as if it were her last. "I will love you until the ends of time."
Her emerald eyes glimmered as the moon hung at the highest peak of the night sky. Hearing these words made her heart ascend to the utmost level of happiness, where he was as well, waiting for her. This couple... happily together in each others' arms like a prince and his ballerina in a music box, their passionate song lasting for all eternity.
The young woman rested her head on his chest as they danced, even though there was no music on the remote beach in southern Italy. It was a pleasant evening for them that would be remembered forever.
"Ahhh.. it doesn't get any better than this," Fate said as she let out an immense sigh of satisfaction. She smiled at the happy couple, knowing exactly how this would turn out, but watching it nonetheless. It was cliché, over exaggerated, and perhaps a bit mushy, but nevertheless it was happiness. "You two will be happy, there's no doubt about that. There'll be hard times, but your love will overcome it all with each step you take."
She hung in the air as the couple stopped and looked far beyond the beach, where the moon reflected off the water in glittering elegance. She almost wished they would notice her, but Fate then remembered that she was invisible. That milk Jasmine gave her must have done the spell good.
Hand-in-hand, they took a long stroll across the soft shore. Fate wanted to follow them, but knew her place. Somehow, although the couple did not know or hear her, she felt abandoned.. isolated by them. Her smile faded as she soared up into the air at full speed, leaving them with the fate that was created for them.
Just as Iago and Abu finished searching drastically under and behind every pillow, Fate made an appearance in the air and slowly settled to the ground. She opened her eyes, only to see the parrot's large beak right in front of her face.
"Where the heck were you?" Iago shouted as if ready to have a heart attack. "If Jasmine found out you were gone, she'd blame us!"
"Sorry, sorry," Fate said swiftly, a bit embarrassed. "I didn't mean to cause trouble for you two. I had a very nice rest, but I also had something, um... important to do, over in the west. I have an imperative job, after all."
Abu scratched his head with one finger as he made monkey conversation with Iago. Listening to what he said, Iago shook his head.
"No, no!" the parrot yelled once more. "Don't you remember? She decides everyone's fate! She was probably helpin' fortune tellers around the world, because we all know they need serious help."
Fate couldn't help but chuckle. "Mmm.. yes, I suppose you could say that," she said, ignoring the fact oblivious to him that she wasn't supposed to show herself to others.
Having a supernatural creature was bound to create more adventures, but Aladdin didn't feel any familiar sensation. After a short rest, he walked to the same balcony and watched the beautiful sun rise. Agrabah was another day older.
Iago, Abu and Fate made their way into the large room where Jasmine, Genie and Carpet already were. Aladdin, looking back, could overhear Jasmine insisting on preparing breakfast but Genie, already in his cooking apron, was boiling eggs on what looked like a blue stove in front of him. He turned back around and continued to concentrate on the glowing sun lifting from the horizon. What if Fate is the one lifting that sun everyday? a thought had sprung into his head. He shook it off, not wanting to ever believe that. While looking out, he still listened to the conversation happening inside.
The Sultan entered the room with such a presence that Fate gasped, dropped to the floor and bowed to the dominant man. Jasmine went up to her father and told him everything about her. "She has told us so much about herself and her reason for being around here without us knowing. It shouldn't be a problem if she stayed every so often in our presence rather than having her returning to her invisible form."
The Sultan took his time to digest the information as he observed the feline for the first time. Yet, all the while he had a smile on his face. "Well," he began, "I'm just glad that there's at least one mystic creature in this world that isn't willing to cause trouble in Agrabah. Fate is more than welcome to stay for as long as she wants."
The cat stood up on four paws, ran over to the Sultan and jumped in his arms, purring. "Thank you so much, Mr..- er, I mean.. your highness! I'm very happy here!" Her happiness brought a twinkle to the wise man's eye as he chuckled joyfully.
"Awwww.." Genie said, putting his hands together as he watched the Sultan pet Fate. "What a lovely scene. This calls for a stupendous breakfast!" He grabbed the frying pan which had a few eggs inside and shook it around, making sure they came out just perfectly.
"Oh.. I'm sorry, I'm not much of an egg eater," Fate said shyly, shaking her head towards the stove as she jumped out of the Sultan's arms.
"Oooh, that's alright, kitty! I've got the perfect meal for you!" Genie said delightfully as a plate appeared on the table in front of her. It was a stack of hot pancakes, smothered in melting butter with a batch of strawberries placed beside each other around the plate. Fate tried her best not to slaver over the stunning serving of food.
"S-st.. strawberries??" she stuttered in disbelief. "T-these are my favourite! How did you know?"
"Ohoho, it was just an intuition, you might say.." Genie said bashfully, hiding the 'Book of Things You Might Wanna Know a Bit About if They Suddenly Appear In Front of You' behind him.
They all enjoyed their meals wholeheartedly. Aladdin, however, continued to stay in his position without any intention of moving. Jasmine, concerned, got up in between eating and went off to meet him.
"Is something wrong, Aladdin?" Jasmine asked, standing slightly behind him, not certain of the expression on his face. "Didn't you sleep well?"
He didn't turn around to acknowledge her. Jasmine almost assumed that he was ignoring her, but then he spoke in a quiet tone. "I'm fine. I've just been thinking a lot. Don't worry about me, I'm not hungry. But.. if you could, please tell Fate to come here once she's finished eating." He slowly turned his head to see if Jasmine would give a response. She nodded, staring into his eyes to try and find something comprehensible but failed. She said nothing more as she left her lover standing at the balcony.
"Hey, Princess!" Genie shouted as Jasmine made her way back to the eating table. "Is something wrong with Al? I've got his usual sunny-side up just the way he likes it."
Jasmine shook her head, making a reassuring smile. "There's no problem. Let's just enjoy our meal." She sat down and casually went back to finishing her breakfast. Fate looked at her and then stretched her head back to glance at Aladdin. The cat's eyes filled with suspicion and concern. Iago and Abu didn't seem to notice their surroundings as they gulped down at least four eggs each.
It wasn't long before every bit of food had vanished from the table. "My most humble gratitude," said the Sultan, delicately wiping a bit of food from his chin with a silk napkin. "Everything was delicious!" Jasmine and Fate nodded in agreement while Iago and Abu fell to the floor with bloated stomachs.
"Well, I must get back to work. Agrabah cannot run on its own, after all..." the Sultan said, dismissing himself after Jasmine gave him a kiss on the cheek. As she turned around, the princess noticed Fate giggling at the sight of Iago and Abu.
"Hehehe, unbelievable! They were sleeping ten minutes ago and already they're taking a small nap!" the feline said with a large smile. Looking down on her, Jasmine couldn't believe that such a creature could ever do harm to Agrabah, or for that matter, anywhere in the world.
"Fate, may I talk to you for a moment?" Jasmine said, letting a hand out as a sign for her to come forward. The cat nodded as she flew towards the princess. Her floating in the air made it easier for Jasmine to whisper in her ear.
"Aladdin has had a lot on his mind lately. I don't mean to put you in a rough position, but it's mostly about you. He has a few questions to ask. Is that alright with you?" she said, pointing to the balcony. Fate turned around, tilted her head curiously, and looked back at Jasmine.
"Sure," she said simply, making her way towards Aladdin. Jasmine began cleaning up the place with Genie and Carpet's help, not bothering to force assistance from Iago and Abu.
"..Aladdin?" Fate said, the words just making it out of her mouth as she waited at the opening of the balcony. The young man turned his head and stared at the creature for a moment.
"Come on out," he said softly, facing back as he looked down at Agrabah. Fate flew gracefully in the air and placed herself right on top of the railing, right beside Aladdin.
Agrabah looked so tranquil from where they stood, with every civilian carrying on with their fragile lives while also keeping an eye on their loved ones through the sandy streets. The structures stood, not as well as the Palace, but they still stood, which was more than enough for the ones living there. It was a serene cycle that, for once, was not aimed to be broken. This is how they wanted their lives to be.. the same thing over and over until they breathed their last..
Aladdin shifted his eyes towards Fate as she crouched down, looking a bit nervous. He didn't want to make her feel self-conscious, but this was his best chance at getting a few things off his chest about her. It was then that he first noticed Fate's neck collar glittering from the sun's reflection. It seemed to have a symbol on it.. an eye inside something that he couldn't exactly make out.
"What's that on your neck collar?" he decided to ask first. There didn't seem to be any harm in asking that question.
Fate quickly looked at Aladdin and then looked down, although not being able to see her collar tucked under her chin. She decided to take her paw and feel the hot silver on her fur, with the marks that formed a symbol. "Well, I got this when I was born. It's the one thing that settled my destiny... a symbol of my job, and the one I will continue to do for centuries to come. It illustrates an eye in the middle of an eclipse, an event that happens a few times a year. Don't ask me why it's like that, because I won't be able to answer that."
The answer was more than enough for Aladdin as he continued to stare at the collar. It boggled his mind, to think that a piece of jewelry could do so much on this one cat. It made him wonder if Chaos' collar was as vital to his work as it was to Fate's. Thinking of the word 'work' when relating to Chaos didn't sound right to him at all. Then, he noticed something else on it. Right above the eye, there seemed to be a long line, perhaps a scratch, carved into the piece. Yes, it did look like a scar. He lowered his back to get a closer look, trying at the same time not to look too watchful. Aladdin couldn't help but ask.
"There seems to be a cut of some sort on that collar.. at least, that's what it looks like. Is it part of the collar or did something happe-"
"S-sandstorm," Fate quickly said, interrupting Aladdin right on the spot. There was a long and uncomfortable pause while the feline's eyes slanted to the side where Aladdin was standing but with an obvious struggle to keep them straight forward.
"A.. sandstorm?" Aladdin repeated, not expecting such an odd answer.
Fate giggled, shaking off her nervous glance and looking back at Aladdin. "Hehe, of course, Aladdin. I'm sure you've been in one before. It got me while my guard was down, and you know how those storms can send large debris into the air. I guess I just wasn't lucky that time.." Her eyes went back forward as she took her paw off the collar.
Aladdin chose to leave that topic and onto another.. something that was definitely more important.
"Fate, when was the last time you helped someone other than us?" Aladdin asked.
Fate took her time with the question, acting a bit confused at why he would ask such a thing. Nonetheless.. "Well, I had to wake up a bit early this morning to help out a couple."
"And.. what did you help them with?" Aladdin continued.
"With their.. relationship," Fate said. She gulped uncontrollably. When the words came out of her mouth, she felt as if she said something wrong. It somewhat shocked her, and left her with a strange feeling.
"I see," Aladdin said quietly, almost wishing he didn't hear that. While there were others suffering against their will she was off helping two people with their intimacy. He felt like exploding, but he kept his composure.
"So, that's what's most important to you in this world? If two people ever find love?" he continued to push her, not caring anymore whether he made her uncomfortable or not.
"W-what do you mean?" Fate said, stumbling over her own words. She did feel a bit bad with what she did last night, but she couldn't find a good enough reason to be so she tried to shake the feeling off.
"Look out there," Aladdin spoke, his arm out in front of him as he showed the feline all of Agrabah. "These people.. this society.. there's something wrong with it. Can you find out what?" The tone of his voice suddenly grew.
"Umm.." Fate wondered about that. She got a bit frightened by his last question and was unable to think straight. "Uh, they haven't eaten breakfast yet?"
That was it.. he couldn't contain it anymore. Of all the answers she could've given him, that was the one that would make him snap.
"No, Fate! No!" he shouted, turning his whole body towards the cat. "You say you've been in Agrabah many times, but you can't seem to fully open your eyes! There are dying people out there, Fate! They're dying of hunger. Yes.. actually, you're right! They haven't eaten breakfast yet.. and they won't eat a lunch either.. or even a dinner! This is how the cycle of their life goes.. no food, water or money! Can you tell me how you can live with that, when you claim that you usually help others??"
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. Fate stood there, her paws shivering a bit at Aladdin's harmful tone of voice. He wasn't looking for a calm conversation at all. He was serious, and Fate only noticed this now. She drastically searched for words to defend herself with. "N-now, Aladdin.. please don't think that I neglect these people, because I don't. Sometimes... sometimes, there are situations that I cannot work with because-"
"Because what?" Aladdin intentionally interrupted. "Because you'd rather spend your time helping a healthy and happy couple? Because you'd rather help people that are worth your time? Because-"
"B-because I'd rather leave it to you!" She yelled, her voice almost leaving her. Aladdin stopped with his accusations for a moment. Still not convinced, he wanted to continue, but she went on.
"I'm only one person, Aladdin! If I could help every single being in this entire world than I would, but I just can't!" Fate let the words escape her mouth without thinking, her unsteady voice increasing in volume. "I'm alone here, and there's no one to help me with my job! Trust me, everyone means everything to me. I know the people of Agrabah and am trying my best to help them, and you know how?" She left a pause, wondering if Aladdin would bother to answer, but she continued when he didn't. "Because I'm helping you! You are the ones supporting the Sultan with decisions on how to run the place. You are the ones going out there, finding treasure and giving it to these people so they can live another day. At first I thought it was wrong, but then I realized you're all doing this out of the goodness of your hearts! I've never seen such a thing in my life! So, I decided a long time ago that I would help you in your adventures, just so you could help others!"
She stopped there, trying to breathe. It was obvious that she had not yelled like this for a fairly long time. Aladdin looked at her, unable to say anything. The others stayed in the room, looking curiously outside to see if there was trouble but decided not to interfere.
"Why didn't you just tell us this in the beginning?" Aladdin finally asked.
"Aladdin," Fate said resuming her normal tone, not wanting to augment it anymore. "It's the same reason why I never wanted to reveal myself to you all.. ever. It's not something that you should know... that anybody should know. It's my duty to decide the fate of everyone, and that's all. I'm not supposed to have a connection with anyone, no matter how much I want to. That's the rule. And now that rule is broken.."
"And who decided these rules?"
Aladdin's last question made Fate bring her head down, her eyes slightly closed and looking at nothing in particular. "I... don't know.."
Aladdin brought a hand on top of the cat's head, showing that he was not angry anymore. "Fate, I won't ask you questions like these anymore. I'm sorry for yelling. I'm now glad that you're here."
With the heaviness escaping her heart, Fate lifted her head to look at Aladdin again. Despite the many times she has watched over him, there was so much she didn't know about the young man. Her initial presence had frightened him. He didn't fully understand the concept of fate and how the future cannot change once it is decided. A long time ago, Fate didn't want to believe it either, but she didn't want to stop believing in herself, so she gave in and accepted what she had to do. Hopefully, Aladdin would realize what life was like through her eyes.
"Thank you, Aladdin. I'm sorry for shouting as well. Um.." Fate shifted her head as she saw Aladdin's friends inside. "Perhaps, we should go back inside."
He nodded and made his way into the room. Fate's words had pressed into Aladdin's thoughts as he began to walk. He may have had many adventures, but there was a world that he had never seen... Fate's world. He couldn't imagine what pressure the feline must've been going through after years of watching over millions of people in the world.. and all he could think of was Agrabah's well being. He slowly began to understand why she wanted to help a couple in their relationship.. it was like an ease to her.. a break from reality where she wanted to work hard to make millions happy.. where she worked so hard that she almost couldn't find her own happiness. Jasmine was right.. she could've decided to leave everyone with a fate of pain and hopelessness, but she didn't. She didn't. Aladdin was glad that he talked with her, for his eyes were now truly opening.
"Um.. Aladdin?" Fate said as the young man was ready to enter back inside the Palace. He turned around to see that she did not move from her spot on the balcony.
"Yes?" he answered back.
She really wanted to tell him.. tell him why there was still suffering even though she was doing her best to bring to an end. There were others out there trying to throw her off. She hadn't seen them for so long, or felt their presence in any way, but they were there.. she knew they were there. Not Abis Mal.. not Mozenrath.. none of those, they were nothing compared to her old companions. Fate didn't want to remember them, or think of them as a concern.. but they were. They were out there causing pain and destruction right behind her back, bringing all the weight on her shoulders without anything to lift it off. It was no use telling Aladdin and having the others worry. He was right, she had a bigger duty than just bringing couples together. Her goal was for the entire world to find peace and happiness, even if it meant sacrificing her own joy. Those atrocious evils enjoyed laughing at her own struggle, enjoyed being sadists. She wouldn't give up, but it was a tough battle between elementals. There was only one of her.. but two of them..
"Nothing, nevermind. I'll be there in a second," she said, forcing a smile. Aladdin left to join the others who were waiting at the result of their conversation.
Fate was left to gaze at the bright morning sun that smoothed out over the town. She counted on Aladdin and his friends to keep Agrabah safe while she had the other parts of the world to worry about. To her sadness, she was beginning to regret having her invisibility spell wear down. No one was ever supposed to know about her and her powers. However, despite her magic, there were things she couldn't control, such as the past. The feline jumped off the railing and went on inside, understanding her position and hoping it wouldn't break her concentration on her job... her goal.
Lying on her comfortable throne in Morbia, Mirage stared into the sky and wondered on the happenings in the past few hours.
"So, Fate has been in Agrabah all along," she said out loud to herself. She smirked, questioning why she hadn't thought of this before. "It's so obvious! And here I am destroying ships and crushing tall buildings, wondering why she never made an appearance. She was there all this time. Well, perhaps not all the time, but she does seem to enjoy herself there."
The cat woman brought her hands together and up in front of her mouth as she bent over to think back on the times when they were all together. She didn't know her as long as Chaos did, but she was such a talkative feline.. one would be able to know all about her in a short conversation. Mirage wondered if she changed at all since they last spoke.
"Aladdin and his friends must be the first people she's spoken to after she left. What a delicious sense of irony," she said, grinning. "To put her own job on such holds.. she must really adore those pathetic beings. That's not much of a surprise on her behalf, though."
She extended her back once more, looking up into the endless sky, almost wishing that she had gone off on a visit to Agrabah as well.
"I hope Chaos gives her my regards."
"So, what shall we do today?" Genie said, turning into Pippi Longstocking and talking in a high pitched female voice.
"It's a beautiful morning. Perhaps we should go for a nice walk through Agrabah," Jasmine proposed.
"Hello! I thought our goal was to stop being bored," Iago yelled, getting up from the floor and hitting Abu's head to wake him up. The monkey screamed but quickly ignored him. The others took high liberty of disregarding him as well.
So, this is where that little kitten has been hiding.. how entertaining! A thought came into the blue cat's mind as he stood at the highest window from the room, where no one was looking or even bothered to. It was not a matter to him either way since he was invisible from the start. He flew down to take a closer look at Fate, who was planted on the floor, listening to the others as they were making a plan for the day.Hmm.. can't say she's grown much.. Chaos thought in his mind as he flew right behind her. She didn't notice his presence at all. I suppose her curiousity of Aladdin and his company has gotten the best of her. Now, to get the others out of the way... He scratched the bottom of his chin, thinking of the perfect diversion. He then snapped his fingers, coming up with an excellent idea.
"Did you hear that?" Aladdin said, putting one hand over his ear to listen carefully. He could've sworn he heard a loud thumping noise coming from outside. The others looked at Aladdin and then at the balcony. The thumping continued.
"What is it?" Jasmine asked. They all ran to the balcony. Surprised, they observed downwards as a large grasshopper was making its way into Agrabah. Squinting, they looked at something unusual on top of the bug's head. It was an... afro?? After realizing this, the only expression the others could give was perplexing and superficial. Other than the thumbing of his legs onto the hard ground, they could also hear the screams coming from the homes of civilians.
"Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Well, close enough anyways," Aladdin said, already prepared for another adventure, despite the slight mockery of it. Chaos smiled as he watched his plan go into perfect play.
Genie transformed into an army soldier with a large can of bug spray that looked like a bazooka. "It's time someone called in the exterminator!" He said in a low, Arnold Schwarzenegger voice, loading his can of spray as if it were a gun.
Aladdin whistled as Carpet dove into appearance, spread out for everyone to get on. They were all ready to head over to deal with the problem, when they noticed that Fate was sitting on the railing, her head sunk down a bit as she looked at Carpet.
"Would you like to climb on? We could sure use your help," Jasmine said with a smile. Fate's heart lifted as she heard those words. She had never been on Carpet before; she was always off in a distance as the group had their adventures. And now, she was invited. She never thought she would have this opportunity! This must've been the happiest day of her life! But...
"Er- you guys go on ahead. I know you'll be able to win without me," Fate answered as she looked in the other directions with her ears slanting downwards.
"Why is that?" Aladdin asked. He couldn't help but feel guilty about Fate's current state. "Didn't you say that you try your best to help us? You're now more than welcome to join us!"
Fate held the tears of happiness back as she looked at them again. "No no, it's not that. You were right Aladdin, I have important tasks to complete. I know somewhere out there I am needed. Whoever brought this thing in.." she said while pointing at the afro-headed grasshopper which already made its way into Agrabah, ".. I'm sure you all can handle it without my help for now. It looks like a real pushover. But.. just be careful. I'll return soon."
Aladdin and Jasmine smiled at her and nodded.
"Okay people! That disco bug isn't going to get poisoned by itself!" Iago yelled, trying to bring their attention back to the grasshopper already destroying a few markets.
"Let's move, Carpet!" Aladdin shouted. And with that, the entire group had gone off to fight. Fate sighed as she crawled back into the Palace. All the while, Chaos watched her with a somewhat intriguing look on his face.
"I know they'll be alright," Fate reassured herself as she walked around the empty room, feeling the loneliness that was far too familiar to her. "I mean, that thing looked so ridiculous.. who would send such a creature? Aladdin was right all along. I should be thinking about others who are in trouble rather than them."
"Did it ever cross your mind that perhaps all you want is your own contentment?" Chaos' voice echoed through the room, startling Fate. She looked at every corner, trying to find the person who just spoke.
"Who's there? Who are you?" she shouted with a crumb of fear stuck in her throat. Her voice also bounced off the walls and echoed into nothing, as if the place was completely empty after all. No, someone was here. She suddenly felt a rough sense of claustrophobia, trapped around the voice that not even herself could discover.
"It's always amusing to see you so startled. Has it been so long that you can't even recognize my voice?" he said, giving out a chuckle at the end.
She paused the search and concentrated on the voice. It didn't hit her until the very last word escaped his mouth. Her hair stood on end. It couldn't be him. Out of all the possible beings in the world... not him... after all these years... all these centuries...
"C... Chaos!"